Craig Burnette recognized for work with veterans

Craig Burnette, this year's recipient of the Mary L. Thomas Award for Civic Leadership and Community Change, feels a special kinship to the homeless veterans he often reaches out a hand to help.

By LEE G. HEALYlee.healy@shj.com

Craig Burnette, this year's recipient of the Mary L. Thomas Award for Civic Leadership and Community Change, feels a special kinship to the homeless veterans he often reaches out a hand to help.The retired Army man, who's seldom without his 82nd Airborne cap, sees all veterans as comrades — as men and women who selflessly served their nation. It's why Burnette says he devotes countless hours and energy to helping vets in need get back on their feet.For his service to the community, Burnette was recognized with the award at the Spartanburg County Foundation's annual meeting Tuesday. Chief operating officer and the award's namesake, Mary Thomas, said Burnette's innovation and leadership truly stood out to the award committee.The award is a legacy from Thomas's 2006 recognition as the recipient of the Council on Foundation's Robert W. Scrivner Award for Creative Grantmaking. Thomas used the $10,000 cash prize as seed money to start the Mary L. Thomas Award.Thomas said the organization is always impressed with the caliber of the award nominees each year.“People work hard every day without looking for recognition, but everybody needs encouragement every now and then. Also, we need to shine the spotlight on things that are not always front and center. We've covered everything from voter registration to special needs children to quality after-school programs, and now we're shining the light on homeless veterans,” Thomas said. “(Burnette) has been able to draw attention to a segment of the population we hear so little about. He's trying to create a safe space and the supports that they need to assimilate back into society.”Burnette, 66, served in the Army from 1968-72 as an infantry platoon leader, company commander and military adviser. He earned a doctorate in psychology and for 28 years worked with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where he oversaw the planning, development and implementation of Project CHALENG, a nationwide program that annually assesses the needs of homeless veterans in cities across the nation.Today, Burnette volunteers his time with several local nonprofits, including Habitat for Humanity, the Upstate Coalition for the Homeless and Operation Restoration CDC. He also serves as a member of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary's Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans in Washington, D.C.A Spartanburg native, Burnette lent his experience and expertise to his hometown last year to coordinate the area's first Upstate Stand Down, an event which aimed to meet essential needs of Upstate veterans and their families, particularly those who are homeless or facing homelessness.“There was a calling,” Burnette said of his work with homeless veterans. “It's been one of those things that I like what I do and I see people who are trying to turn their life around and I can help.”

About a month ago, Burnette connected with Army veteran Michael Dunlap. After spending about three years living on the streets, Dunlap accepted Burnette's invitation to accept assistance. Burnette directed him to Welcome Home, a transitional home operated by Operation Restoration CDC for displaced veterans living in Spartanburg County. Dunlap now has a roof over his head and is receiving medical care at a local VA clinic. He hopes to one day transition to his own apartment and purchase a vehicle.“(Burnette) is a great asset to the community for the things he does,” Dunlap said. “He helps homeless vets get into things like (Welcome Home).”Burnette spends many days at the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen, proudly wearing his 82nd Airborne cap and connecting with veterans. Other times, he's scouring the community with partners like Dunlap, checking under bridges and on the streets for people who may be in need. Every day is an outreach opportunity, he said.“(Veterans) are some of the finest people you'd meet in your life,” Burnette said. “Why would I not go out and help them?”Carol Mabry, a community volunteer and retired administrator with the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind, called Burnette a “living lightning rod” and “crusader for the homeless.”“All of us who know him and work with him know his passion and constant work to not only prevent homelessness but eradicate it in our community. He gives countless hours to impact change,” Mabry said. “We're so fortunate in Spartanburg that we have someone like Craig who is a nationally recognized expert in the area of homelessness … We all know he is most deserving, so everyone shares in this joy for him.”With the award, Burnette was presented a $5,000 cash grant, which he said will be split between Operation Restoration's Welcome Home and Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg.“There are a lot of good people who do work for this community and this county, and out of all those people, I'm humbled to be selected as the person this year,” Burnette said. “It means a lot.”

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